Philosophical Thinking
Defining Philosophy and Its Three Main Branches
Philosophy, which means ‘love of wisdom,’ originated in ancient Greece and is considered the world’s first academic discipline. From a different academic point of view, the term ‘philosophy’ was defined as the investigation of the fundamental nature of knowledge and existence. This was the understanding that prevailed when the term was first perceived.
On the other hand, its core concerns are ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology (Mashayekhi Fard et al., 2020). The study of knowledge is called epistemology, the study of morality is called ethics, and the study of the nature of the human mind, the definition and meaning of existence, or the nature of space and time is called metaphysics. Each branch of philosophy investigates a different aspect of life and how people are expected to live it.
Connecting Fundamental Questions to Each Branch of Philosophy
The three branches of philosophy are metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology. The area of philosophy known as metaphysics examines the nature of reality, including the nature of God, the link between mind and matter, and the origin and purpose of the cosmos. ‘What is reality made of?’ is the branch related to that question.
The area of philosophy that examines the nature and extent of knowing is called epistemology. It includes questions about the nature of truth, belief, and justification. It is associated with the question, ‘What is knowledge?’
The area of philosophy known as axiology examines the nature and foundations of value judgments. ‘What is the good life, and how ought I to live in it?’ is the branch that deals with questions concerning the nature of goodness, beauty, and justice.
Metaphysics
The field of metaphysics, which is concerned with the investigation of reality, will constitute the primary focus of this essay. This is because metaphysics seeks to shed light on both the fundamental nature of reality and its overarching context, which are aspects of reality that, in most instances, appear to be difficult to unearth and experience during our everyday lives.
Additionally, metaphysics explains the components of reality in the immediate senses rather than in the material world. In this context, the term ‘philosophical mindset’ refers to the inclination to approach any circumstance with an open mind and the appropriate point of view. In addition, philosophers realized that this type of philosophical outlook is a crucial component that anyone should seek to have a good existence.
Illustrating the Branches Through Classical Examples
Consequently, the majority of ancient Greeks attempted to make sense of the world around them and evaluate its many facets independently of religion through the practice of ancient Greek philosophy (Carr, 2021). Philosophers like Socrates relied on their reasoning and intellectual skills rather than myths to understand their reality. In addition, the 6th century B.C. saw the arrival of several Greek philosophers, such as Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates.
Socrates
For instance, Socrates answered the question, “What is knowledge?” by saying that knowledge is a matter of understanding the true nature of things. It is not simply a matter of having information or facts about something but of understanding its underlying reality (Brown, 2017). This is why Socrates was so interested in questions of morality and ethics: he believed that understanding the true nature of things would allow people to live their lives in truly fulfilling ways. These Greek philosophers discussed various subjects, such as political philosophy, rationality, metaphysics, aesthetics, ecology, and rhetoric.
On the other hand, this Greek philosophy continues to be the driving force behind the Western ethos, even though its origin is based on the perspectives of contemporary philosophers, scholars, and even historians. The ancient Greeks gave the rest of the world many gifts, including philosophy, democracy, and theater, amongst other things (Brown, 2017). This is because ancient Greek philosophers were much more sophisticated during their era, which means that they implemented innovative philosophical influence into science, politics, and morals (Claudia, 2017).
Aristotle
Aristotle, for example, proposed that humans’ superior capacity for rational thought distinguishes humans from animals. Therefore, the good life is one in which an individual cultivates and even exercises their rational faculties by, for instance, engaging themselves in scientific investigation, philosophical discussions, artistic creation, or even legislation. Several of Aristotle’s teachings suggest that one can only arrive at a proper understanding of reality once one’s mind can work through the material. For instance, people might not believe they can be good at something until they try their hand at it (Brown, 2017). Only when the mind finally sees that they have been able to break those boundaries does that become a reality, and only then does the mind finally stop having doubts about it. It has been said repeatedly that the lessons Aristotle taught about reality still apply today.
Reflection
The Value of Philosophical Thinking in Everyday Life
To think philosophically is to maintain a detached and thoughtful attitude in the face of a setback or even to address a troublesome condition in a level-headed manner, both aspects of what it means to think philosophically. During the time of the ancient Greeks, the word ‘philosophy’ meant ‘love of knowledge and wisdom.’ In modern times, however, philosophy refers to the analysis of results and study of how we use our brains and knowledge to think through our problems to understand what constitutes a good life.
Philosophy can be helpful to me in my own life through the development of my critical thinking and ethical judgment. For instance, Socrates is considered one of the first philosophers to formulate and disseminate this idea (Claudia, 2017). People continue to participate in various disputes regarding the human condition, what is good and evil, and what is correct and erroneous. As a result, philosophy will benefit me since it will enable me to prevent misunderstandings and useless confrontations that may emerge from actively listening, thinking critically, and participating in intellectual dialogue, just as Socrates did many centuries ago. The skills will assist me in thinking critically and asking questions when they are appropriate based on what he has taught me.
Influence of Ancient Greek Philosophy on Personal Worldviews
Plato proposed an ideal political system throughout his work “Republic” (Claudia, 2017). Delving deeper into reality and applying this philosophical concept developed by Plato will motivate me to avoid falling into obscurity and being unconscious of my surroundings. Plato’s ideas appear more pertinent than ever in our contemporary world, which is characterized by division and bias. Recognizing that an individual’s perceptions of reality are invariably clouded by ignorance and subjectivity, he encourages us to make a concerted effort to pursue reality continuously and consistently.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ancient Greek philosophers introduced a new way of thinking and understanding to the ancient world, providing the groundwork for developing new practices and norms. This course focused on three questions: What is knowledge? What is reality? And, what is the good life? I will focus my answer on the question: What is knowledge?
First, knowledge is defined as a belief or understanding verified by experience. Second, it must be based on evidence. Third, it must be communicated and shared so that others can also benefit from it. All these points make knowledge something that must be actively pursued and developed to be maximized.
References
Brown, N. (2017). Aristotle and Heidegger: Potentiality in excess of actuality. Idealistic Studies. Web.
Carr, W. (2021). Philosophy and education. In The RoutledgeFalmer Reader in Philosophy of Education, eBook edition, (pp. 34-49). Routledge.
Claudia, Z. (2017). Interconnectedness: The Living world of the early Greek philosophers. Academia Verlag.
Mashayekhi Fard, S., Jahanshad, A., & Poorzamani, Z. (2020). The impact of social responsibility and social intelligence on auditor’s professional judgment with the role of mediating a philosophical mindset. International Journal of Finance & Managerial Accounting, 5(17), 55-65. Web.